The Academy is a place where those who wish to study devote themselves to learning.
Patricia sighed, wondering if that was a lie after all.
***
“…Um! Lord Clive…if you don’t mind, please take this!”
What the lady handed over was a handkerchief that she must have embroidered herself.
Certainly, among nobles, things like embroidery are considered a proper accomplishment for ladies, but Clive couldn’t care less about such things.
If they can’t do it themselves, the Ladies-in-waiting have their skillful maids do it for them anyway.
Normally, he would have refused, saying he didn’t need it, but he preferred not to cause trouble inside the Academy.
Especially now.
“…Thank you.”
“—!”
Watching the girl, her face blazing red as she hurried away, Clive let out an involuntary sigh.
As he gazed at the handkerchief in his hand with a look of annoyance, someone casually patted him on the shoulder.
“Clive, you’re quite popular. But at least try to look a bit happier about it. It’s a wonderful thing to be admired, especially by women, you know.”
The one saying this was Heine Avalon, the Crown Prince of the neighboring Avalon Kingdom.
With honey-colored eyes and hair that shone with the same warm hue, his gentle smile truly embodied the prince every girl dreamed of.
Some girls even whispered they liked the beauty mark near his eye—it made him look alluring.
However, even for such an ideal existence, to another man he just seemed suspiciously too perfect.
Clive would prefer not to be involved, but Heine was one of the few people in this Academy who knew the “real” Clive.
And, after all, he was royalty from the neighboring country.
So Clive answered with practiced composure, coldly and with distance, “I don’t care about that. Here, take it.”
“No, no! You should keep it to yourself. Falling in love is all well and good, but being loved is wonderful too—I want you, my friend, to experience it.”
“I truly don’t care.”
Heine didn’t seem interested in taking the handkerchief, so Clive decided he’d throw it in the trash later.
For now, he shoved it into his pocket and glanced at the large clock.
‘Still a little early.’
“Oh dear. It seems my friend Clive has no time for me today.”
“None. Not even a bit. I’ll be busy from now on.”
“You know, I’ve caught wind of some gossip about the Duke of Frentia’s daughter that both of you’re on great terms. Honestly, anyone who can click with her has to be pretty remarkable.”
“…Have you never met her? I thought you’d been to Avalon a few times.”
“Never. For some reason, every time she visits, something comes up for me.”
Ah, Clive found himself unconsciously agreeing, snorting in understanding.
At the time, she was the Crown Princess’s fiancée.
If a prince from her own country were to approach someone like that, the two nations that had just found peace could be plunged back into war.
Even from Clive’s perspective, knowing the kind of man Heine was, that was probably for the best.
“But having the Duke’s daughter attend the Academy…isn’t she risking missing her chance for marriage? Or maybe she’s become reckless after having her engagement broken off?”
“If you’re going to insult her, I won’t speak to you again.”
“No, no! It’s a genuine question!”
“………………”
Well, an ordinary young lady wouldn’t attend a place like this.
Raised with utmost care, when they come of age they start attending parties, get engaged to a match chosen by their family, learn the skills of a bride, and once married, look after their new household.
They need a certain level of education, but not so much that they need to go to school.
And by coming here, she certainly risks missing her chance for marriage.
Men in this country don’t usually prefer women who are too clever.
“If she’s a Duke’s daughter, even if she was thrown away by the Crown Prince, surely there would still be suitors?”
“……………………She wasn’t thrown away.”
“Hm?”
“She was the one who threw him away. The position, the glory, and that worthless man, all of it.”
Such a foolish and pathetic man, Clive couldn’t help but laugh, even though he was talking about his own brother.
He knew his brother was prideful.
Even though he was the legitimate son, he was looked down upon for being the son of a concubine, and their mother did everything to make her son the Crown Prince.
It was unbearable to watch, and as a child, Clive found it terrifying.
Perhaps because of such a childhood, he could never forgive Patricia, who was always one step above him.
And so he started to depend on those weaker than himself.
This is what it led to.
Crying, screaming, raging.
And by the time he realized it, he’d lost everything.
“…Serves him right.”
“You look like you’re thinking something nasty.”
“I am thinking something nasty.”
“Hmm. Things are tough at my place, but it looks like it’s not easy for you, either.”
“It’s the same everywhere, isn’t it?”
Half-siblings can be a real pain.
Since the two of them understood that feeling, perhaps that’s why they got along so well.
And that’s precisely why Clive said: “If you go near Patty, I’ll never speak to you again.”
“Saying ‘don’t get close’ or ‘don’t fall in love’—isn’t that impossible? If we could control our feelings, the world wouldn’t be like this. Neither of us would be suffering.”
“…Stop making so much sense.”
“Hahaha.”
Clive glanced at the clock again.
It was about time.
“I’m going.”
“I’ll go too. It’s my first time meeting her—the White Lily Maiden.”
“—What’s that?”
“Oh, you didn’t know? That’s what my sister calls Lady Frentia—the White Lily Maiden.”
“…You’re going through a lot too, aren’t you?”
“Finally you understand just how free-spirited my sister is.”
Clive felt a little sympathetic, but decided not to worry about it as he started walking.
Today, she will come to the Academy.
It was the first time he’d see her since the incident that day.
‘Would she be smiling? Was she still anxious or afraid?’
“—No.”
‘That wouldn’t be it. Knowing her, she’d surely overcome any hardship. Right now, she must be wearing that flower-like smile of hers.’
“At least introduce me, all right?”
“As a dangerous person, maybe.”
“Hey—”
He made his way to the entrance of the Academy, preparing to welcome her.
“At last, I’ll see you again, Patty.”
‘Because I haven’t forgotten the promise I made that day.’